401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 1 Tiller/Cultivator with 4 Stroke Engine OWNER’S MANUAL
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 2 Welcome to the World of Mantis Gardening Here’s your new MANTIS Tiller . Unlike big tillers, your MANTIS Tiller weighs only 24 pounds. So it lifts easily, handles smoothly, tills and weeds precisely. And, unlike other small tillers, it features serpentine tines that churn soil to ten inches deep. It creates a soft, smooth seed bed, even in problem soil. Once you know how to use your tiller correctly, we guarantee you’ll love it.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 3 Safety Rules & Warnings You will notice Safety Rules and Important Notes throughout this Owners Manual. Make sure you understand and obey these warnings for your own protection. I. Special Safety Information ! WARNING • DANGER ! ATTENTION: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT OUR IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
01760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 4 III. Safety Decal Information An important part of the safety system incorporated in this tiller are the warning and information decals found on various parts of the tiller. These decals must be replaced in time due to abrasion, etc. It is your responsibility to replace these decals when they become hard to read. The location and part numbers (P/N) of these decals are illustrated below.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 5 V. Warnings - Don'ts Don’t work on excessively steep slopes. Don’t attempt to clear tines while they are moving. Never try to remove jammed material before switching the engine off and making sure the tines have stopped completely. Don’t allow children or incapable people to operate this tiller. Don’t use tiller with one hand.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 6 Assembly ! WARNING•DANGER ! 20,21,55 IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THIS TILLER CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT OUR FACTORY AT 1-800-363-7333 OR AN AUTHORIZED MANTIS DEALER 40 39 1 2 8 53 Your MANTIS Tiller comes partially assembled. You must install only the handlebars, the carrying handle, and the tines. This will take just a few minutes if you follow the directions.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 7 Assembly (continued) HOW TO ASSEMBLE LOWER HANDLES To identify part numbers, see pages 6 and 19. 1. Use the protective cardboard sleeve to stabilize your tiller. Stand the engine assembly (#21) up. (Picture 1) 2. Lay the handle parts within easy reach. You’ll need one of the handle clamps (#51) and one of the lower handles (#6). Note that the lower handles have a short leg on one end. 3. Fit the handle clamp along the outside of the short leg.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 8 Assembly (continued) How to Assemble Upper Handles and Carrying Handle 1. Lightly squeeze the lower handles (#6) toward one another so that they line up with the two smaller holes on the carrying handle (#42). Then slide the carrying handle over and down the lower handles. It will rest about four to six inches above the fender. (Picture 1) 2. Gently pull the lower handles out to their original position. 3.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 9 Assembly (continued) Assembling the Tines for Tilling 1. Remove the cardboard from around your Tiller’s base. 2. Slide the tines onto the axle shafts. The “D” hole goes on the outside. (Picture 1) 3. Make sure you’ve installed the tines properly for tilling. Liken the tines to your fingers. When your palm faces the ground, your fingers curl down. Stand behind the Tiller and hold your hand next to the tines.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 10 Starting ! TO START YOUR TILLER FOR THE FIRST TIME: down to the run position—the engine will continue to run. (Picture 5) First, fill the fuel tank with the proper amount of gasoline (Use branded 89 octane (R+M+2) unleaded gasoline or gasohol— maximum 10% ethyl alcohol, or 15% MTBE, no methyl alcohol.) Warm Engine WARNING ! AVOID ACCIDENTAL BLADE ENGAGEMENT DO NOT SQUEEZE THE THROTTLE TRIGGER WHEN STARTING.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 11 Additional Information ! WARNING • DANGER ! IF ENGINE DOES NOT STOP WHEN SWITCH IS PUT IN THE STOP POSITION, RELEASE THE THROTTLE, ALLOW ENGINE TO IDLE. PUT THE TILLER DOWN, AND SLIDE THE CHOKE LEVER FORWARD TO THE COLD START (CLOSED) POSITION. CHECK AND RETURN IGNITION SWITCH TO ON POSITION BEFORE STARTING ENGINE AGAIN. A Special Feature (with the How to get your tiller to your garden idle set properly and the Walk it.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 12 Tilling Picture 1 Now You’re Ready to Use Your MANTIS Tiller. You Can Even Control Depth. If you’ve seen other tillers, your MANTIS Tiller may surprise you. It tills best when you pull it backward! You see, when you pull your MANTIS Tiller backward, you give extra resistance to the tines, so they dig deeper. (Picture 1) What’s more when you go backward, you erase your footprints. So your soil stays light and fluffy.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 13 Tilling How about a familysize vegetable garden? Nowadays many gardeners prefer small gardens — especially in the suburbs, where space is at a premium. But, if you’re fortunate enough to own a large lot, you can create a bigger garden — a half acre or more. Although your Mantis Tiller could handle the job, the project could be completed faster if you were to hire someone with a tractor or larger tiller to break the ground for you.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 14 Cultivating Now You’re Ready to Cultivate or Weed. Tilling Position Tine teeth point in the same direction as the rotation of the tine; or toward the front of the Tiller, away from the operator. Guide your Tiller where you want to weed and start it up. Pull your Tiller backward slowly, then let it move forward a bit, in a gentle rocking motion.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 15 Maintenance How to Check the Grease Level Inside the Worm Gear Housing When we built your MANTIS Tiller, we lubricated the worm gear housing thoroughly. It is imperative that you inspect the grease level once a year. Simply remove the cover plate on the worm gear housing. (Picture 1) Then check to make sure the grease comes almost to the top of the housing. If it doesn’t, add lithium #0 grease (Item M9985.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 16 Storage ! WARNING • DANGER ! DO NOT STORE IN AN AREA WHERE FUEL FUMES MAY ACCUMULATE AND REACH A FLAME OR SPARK. Each fall, or before you store your Mantis Tiller for any long period, be sure to take these measures: 1. Do not store your Tiller with fuel still in it. Even under ideal conditions, stored fuel containing ethanol or MTBE can start to go stale in 30 days.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:58 PM Page 17 Using the Border Edger Attachment Your MANTIS Tiller has been designed and built to accept a wide range of MANTIS Tiller Attachments to increase its usefulness in your lawn and garden. And, all MANTIS Tiller Attachments have been designed for quick and easy attachment to the Tiller or Engine.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:59 PM Page 18 Mantis Tiller Assembly 18
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:59 PM Page 19 Mantis Tiller Assembly KEY # QTY 1 1 400257 2 6 1 2 400255 400224 7 8 12 1 1 1 400620 148 910502 13 20 21 2 1 1 478 465 400911 22* 23 1 1 468 466 24 25 26 1 1 4 436 437A 651 27 28 29 1 2 1 423 425 424 30 31 32 33 1 1 1 1 422 426 428 429 MATERIAL KEY # QTY MATERIAL TRIGGER HANDLE ASSM. RH HANDLE ASSM.
401760 Veseys Tiller-Cultivator_manual 3/5/10 3:59 PM Page 20 MANTIS BY VESEYS TILLER LIMITED WARRANTY VESEYS extends only to the original consumer purchaser a limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two years from date of purchase. This warranty covers all portions of the MANTIS BY VESEYS Tiller. VESEYS will repair or, at its option, replace any defective part or parts of the product free of charge.
